Rudolph m



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. M. HUNTER. -ELEGTMG RAILWAY.

No. 556,322. Patented Mar. l0. 1896.

Witnesses. 'm l Inventor. @Q

AnUnEw s GRAHAM PHOTO umu WASHINGTON. DC

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(NoModel.)

R. M. HUNTER. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

No. 556,322. Patented Mar. 10, 1896.

UNITED STATES P rvrnrrr OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEELECTRIC CAR COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 556,322, dated March10, 1896.

Application iled July 19,1886. Serial No. 208,418. (No model.)

.To @ZZ wwnt t may concern.' lar to the construction set out in myapplica- Be it known that I, RUDOLPH INI. HUNTER, tion of lJuly 14,1885, above referred to, but of the city and county of Philadelphia andembodies material improvements upon it. State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented an Im- The frame J has guides J 3 arranged trans- 55 5provement in Electric Railways, of which the versely across its middle,between which a following is a specification. stationary roller J 4 isreceived, the said roller My invention has reference to theconstrucbeing supported by the frame J. This roller tion and operationof electric railways; and and guides prevent any longitudinal moveitconsists of certain improvements which are ment of the collector-frames,but does not in 6o 1o fully set forth in the following specification theleast interfere with the lateral movement and shown in the accompanyingdrawings, which is necessary for inequalities in the powhich form a partthereof. sition of the slot or conductors.

My invention comprehends certain im- Located below each axle and hingedat their provements fully set out hereinafter, and reends to thecollector-frame J by vertical pins 6 5 late more particularly to thecurrent-colleet- L2 Aare the collector-plates L, to which the ingdevices and means generally for supplycollector Zis secured and fromwhich they are ing electricity from a conductor within a insulated. fThe collector-plates L have their slotted conduit to the motor on thecar. free ends supported at j to the frame J and In the drawings, Figure1 is a sectional eleare maintained normally with the slot by 7o zovation of an electric car or motor and shows springsj'. Their upperportions are notched the arrangement of the various circuits, dac., andthe body portions filled with insulating on the car. Fig. 2 is a planview of the truck material L', through which vertical rods Z of samewith the motor and all the upper porpass to operate the collectors Z.The upper tion removed, and Fig. 3 is a perspective parts of these rodsZ pass above the connect- 75 view of my improved collector or apparatusing and insulated plate Z5 and terminate in for collecting theelectricity from the workcranks Z3, which are connected by links Z4. ingconductors and supplying it to the motor The object of this constructionis that when on the car. j one collector is turned to make contact withB2 represents the car-body, which may be the working conductor the othercollector of 8o 3o supported upon springs in the usual manner. the samecollector-plate is turned out of con- The wheels are secured to axles I,which are tact or in a longitudinal line and points in suitablyjournaled in axle-boxes. Supported the direction of travel of thevehicle. By upon these axles are the two frames J J, made this means thecollectors trail and a different vertically adjustable thereon byadjustable pair of collectors work when running back- 85 guides i. Themotor K is supported upon ward than when running forward.

these frames and is geared to the axles I in l The collectors of a platemay always work any suitable manner, that method indicated in the samedirection or may work upon opin ldotted lines being similar to theconstrucposite conductors, as shown, in which case tion shown in myapplication, filed July 14., the adjustment of the collectors alsocauses a 9o 4o 1885, Serial No. 171,625. The collector-frame reversal ofcurrent through the motor. The

J is swung upon suspended parallel links J 2, collectors on the twocollector-plates are sipivoted to the frame J, whereby thecollectormultaneously operated by the insulated conframe may swinglaterally, but always renecting-rod M, the end of which is connectedmain horizontal. These links being secured by a slip-j oint with thelever M, but is caused 95 to the frames J, the vertical adjustment of tomove with the movements of said lever by said frames will also adjustthe collector dethe spring m, and these springs cause the col- 4 vicesvertically in the slot G of the conduit lectors to press upon theworking conductors H, contained therein. The form of the colwith more orless elastic pressure. From the lectors and-mode of support is moreclearly construction here set out it will be seen that 10o 5o shown inSheet 2 of the drawings in the perthe collectors may swing on roller J 4as apivot spective view marked Fig. 3, and is very simiand may movelaterally at both ends alike.

They may also swing upon pins L2 as an axis and may move about their ownshafts or rods Z' as -an axis. The ends Z2 of the collectorplates aremade with more or less knife edges and form protections for theinsulation, located between the forward and rear ends of said plates,and this insulation may be still further protected by side plates L3,which may, if desirable, be made replaceable by repairs in case of wear.

It is immaterial what the specific shape or construction of the partsmay be, as it is evident that they may be modified in various ways tosuit the various conditions. It is also evidentthat the two collectors Zmay simultaneously receive current from different working conductors,and said current so collected may be supplied to the motor forenergizing it.

Located between the collector-plates L is the brush U5 for cleaning theconduit-walls and sweeping the refuse into the wells I1" of the conduitIl. This brush is pivoted at U on a vertical axis to a laterally-movableor hinged frame U2 pivoted at one end U3 to the frame J of thecollectors. By this means the brush may rotate upon its vertical pivot Uand may bodily swing laterally to follow all variations in the slot orconduit due to irregularities or in passing around curves. The brush issecured to a vertical rod U4, having a bearing u at the top and bottom.The upper end of the rod U4 passes through the upper bearing and restsagainst the plate U2, and if said plate be moved to one side the rod maybe pushed up to disengage the lower part from its bearing and the brushmay be removed from the conduit, being suiiiciently thin for thatpurpose. The shank of the brush or its frame U is made long and narrowor flat to run properly between the slotwalls. It is evident that theparticular location of this brush and its appendages may be varied. Itis also evident that the brush should be so constructed that partsbrushing the conductors of opposite polarity may be insulated from eachother to prevent sliertcircuiting of the currents.

O and O' are the two main conductors on the car which receive thecurrent from the collectors and supply it to the motor, and hence may beconsidered the motor-circuit. This circuit is provided with aresistanceehanger UG located therein.

O2 is an armature-circuit, and maybe provided with a resistance-changero and have its current reversed by reversing-switch O3 of any suitableconstruction.

The motor K is shown as having its iieldmagnets divided into sections7c, which may be coupled up in various ways by the commutator-switch K,which commutates the current from the conductors O O' by coupling themup in different ways with the motorconductors c connecting with thesections 7c of the motor-magnets. I do not limit myself to the detailsof this commutator, as the same principle might be carried out onmodified constructions of what is here shown.

The current passes from one of the collectors by circuit O throughresistance-changer U6, thence to the field-magnets by a commutatingdevice K', returning by circuit O to the other collector. The armatureis not in series relation with the field-coils, but is included in acircuit O2, leading from the motoreircuits O O, and includes acurrent-reversing switch O3 and a resistance-changer o.

I do not confine myself to the details herein set out, as they may bemodified in various ways without departing from my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an electricrailway, a slotted conduit, a bared working conductorcontained therein, an electrically-propelled vehicle, an electric motoron said vehicle to propel it, a collectorframe suspended from the axlesof the vehicle and adapted to have lateral movement, transverse guidesto prevent said frame from having longitudinal movement, a collectorsuspended from said frame passing through the slot and making contactwith the working conductor, and a conductor extending from the collectorto the motor.

2. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit, a bared working conductorcontained therein, an electrically-propelled vehicle, an electric motor0n said vehicle to propel it, a collectorframe suspended from the axlesof the vehicle and adapted to have lateral movement, transverse guidesto prevent said frame from having longitudinal movement, a collectorsuspended from said frame passing through the slot and making contactwith the work ing conductor, a conductor extending from the collector tothe motor, and a hand-operated regulator for controlling the currentpassing through the motor. y

In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing bared workingconductors, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on said vehiclereceiving electricity from said conductors, a collector-frame suspendedfrom the axles of the vehicle and adapted to have lat eral movement,transverse guides to prevent the said frame from having longitudinalmovement, and collectors suspended from said frame passing through theslot and making Contact with the working conductors.

4. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing bared workin gconductors, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on said vehiclereceiving electricity from said con ductors, a collector-frame suspendedat its ends from the axles of the vehicle and adapted to have lateralmovement, transverse guides at or near its middle to prevent the saidframe from having longitudinal movement but allow of lateral andhorizontal oscillatory movements, and collectors sus- IOO IIO

pended from said frame near its ends passing through the slot and makingcontact with the working conductors.

5. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing bared workingconductors, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on said vehiclereceiving electricity from said conductors, a collector-frame suspendedfrom the axles of the vehicle and adapted to have lateral movement,transverse guides to prevent the said frame from having longitudinalmovement, collectors suspended from said frame passing through the slotmaking contact with the working conductors, and adjusting devices to adjust said collector-frame vertically.

6. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing bared workingconductors, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on said vehiclereceiving electricity from said conductors, a collector-frame suspendedfrom the axles of the vehicle and adapted to have lateral movement,transverse guides to prevent the said frame from having longitudinalmovement, and pivoted collectors suspended from said frame passingthrough the slot and making contact with the working conductors.

7 In an electrical railway, a slotted conduit containing bared workingconductors, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on said vehiclereceiving electricity from said conductors, a collector-frame suspendedfrom the axles of the vehicle adapted to have lateral movement,transverse guides to prevent the said frame from having longitudinalmovement, and pivoted collector plows or plates extending down throughthe slot, and pivoted Y collectors carried thereby and insulatedtherefrom to make contact with the working conductors.

8. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on saidvehicle, two independently laterally movable collecting devices carriedby the vehicle working in contact with said bared conductors, and aconnection between said collecting devices to prevent their independentlongitudinal movement, suspended from the axles independent of thevehicle-body.

9. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on saidvehicle, two independently laterally movable collecting devices carriedby the vehicle working in contact with said bared conductor, aconnection between said collecting devices to prevent their independentlongitudinal movement, and adjustable supports for the collectingdevices to adjust them vertically, upon the vehicle relatively to theconductors.

10. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on saidvehicle, two independently laterally movable collecting devices carriedby the axles of the vehicle independently of the vehicle-body andworking in contact with said bared c onductors, a connection betweensaid collecting devices to prevent their independent longitudinalmovement, and a support for said connection sustained by the axles toallow of lateral movement but prevent longitudinal movement.

11. In an electric railway, one or more stationary bared workingconductors, in combination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, ahorizontal floating collector-frame suspended from the vehicle-axlesindependently of the vertical movements of the vehicle-body and adaptedto lateral movement at either or both ends simultaneously, guides toinsure its always remaining horizontal, and one or more collectorssuspended from said collectorframe.

l2. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a horizontalfloating collector-frame suspended from the vehicle-axles independentlyof the vertical movements of the vehicle-body and adapted to lateral andoscillatory movement at either end, guides to insure the frame alwaysremaining horizontal, and one or more collectors suspended from saidcollector-frame.

13. An electrically-propelled vehicle, stationary bared workingconductors arranged along the path of the vehicle, two independentpivoted collectors working in Contact with said conductors and carriedby said vehicle, an operating-lever for moving said collectors into orout of contact with said conductors, and elastic connections between thelever and said collectors.

14:. In an electric railway, a stationary bared working conductor, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, two collectors pointing in oppositedirections, and connecting devices to throw either collector intocontact with the working conductor but not both at the same time.

15. In an electric railway, the combination of a slotted conduitcontaining a bared conductor extending along the railway, anelectrically-propelled vehicle having a motor adapted to rotate itsaxle, a collector-frame suspended from the axles independently of thevehicle-body with provision for lateral motion, a current-collectingdevice pivoted to said laterally-movable frame with provision for motionabout a vertical axis and having a contact pressing against the baredconductor in the conduit, a circuit leading from the collector forsupplying current to the motor, and a regulator for controlling thecurrent passing to the motor.

16. In an electric railway, the combination of a slotted conduitcontaining a bared conductor extending along the railway, anelectrically-propelled vehicle having a body supported upon the axles bysprings, a motor adapted to rotate its axles, a collector-framesuspended from the axles of the vehicle with provision for lateralmotion independent of the car-body, a current-collecting device piv- IOOIIO

oted to said laterally-movable frame with provision for motion about avertical axis and having a contact pressing against the bared conductorin the conduit, a circuit leading from the collector for supplyingcurrent to the motor, a regulator for controlling the current passing tothe motor, and a suitable transverse guide to prevent longitudinalmovement of the collector-frame and yet permit lateral motion therein.

17. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing workingconductors, a traveling electric motor or vehicle, a laterally-movableframe suspended from said .vehicle over the slot, and a cleaning-brushpivoted thereto on a vertical axis.

18. In an electric railway, a slotted conduit containing workingconductors, a traveling electric motor or vehicle, a laterally-movableframe suspended from said vehicle over the slot, a cleaning-brush framepivoted thereto, and a cleaning-brush pivoted to said cleaningbrushframe on a vertical axis.

19. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on saidvehicle, two independently laterallyT movable collecting devices carriedby the vehicle and working in contact with said bared conductor, aconnection between said collecting devices to prevent their independentlongitudinal movement, and a cleaning-brush carried by said connection.

20. In an electric railway, stationary bared working conductors, incombination with an electrically-propelled vehicle, a motor on saidvehicle, two independently laterally movable collecting devices carriedbythe vehicle and workin g in contact with said bared conductor, aconnection between said collecting devices to prevent their independentlongitudinal movement, a cleaning-brush carried by said connection andbetween the collectors.

2l. In an electric railway, the combination ot a slotted conduitarranged parallel to the railway, a bared conductor within and insulatedfrom the conduit, an electricallypropelled car, a current collecting orcontact device extending down through the slot of the conduit and makingcontact with the bared conductor and movable about a vertical axis, asupport or frame loosely carried by the car-axles independently of thecar-body, and capable of lateral movement and a vertical pivotconnection between the contact or collecting device and the support orframe at a point above the slot of the conduit.

22. In an electrical railway, the combination of two working conductorsarranged parallel to the track, slotted conduit inclosing the saidconductors, an electrically-propelled car having a body supported onsprings, two current-collectors one for each conductor arranged one inadvance of the other and independently movable about a vertical axis, acommon carrier above the conduit-slot supported by the axles of the earindependently of the car-body with provision for lateral movement toallow for irregularities in the slot of the conduit and independentconnections between said carrier and collectors cxterior of the conduitwhereby each has an i11- dependcnt lateral motion.

23. In an electric railway, a bai-ed iixed conductor arranged parallelwith the track, and a slotted conduit in which said conductor islocated, in combination with a trailing contact device extending throughthe slot of the conduit and guided thereby and adapted, to 1 ent lateralmotion at each end relatively tol the latter, and laterally movablecontactbrushes carried by said longitudinal frame.

25. The combination of a railway and slotted conduit extending along therailway inclosing two conductors for supplying electricity, anelectrically-propelled vehicle, two brush -holders or collecting devicesextending through the slot into the conduit and arranged in line andsupported from the axles independently of the car-body for makingconnections with the electrical conductors within said conduit, and anintermediate support located wholly above the conduit having provisionfor lateral motion and to which the brush-holders or collectors areconnected at a point above the conduit, so as to move about verticalaxes.

26. The combination of a railway, a slotted conduit therefor, anelectric locomotive, two current-collectin g devices extending downwardbelow each of the axles of the locomotive, and a common longitudinal baror l'ramc flexibly supported from the axles independently of thecar-body and located above the conduit and to which the twocurrent-collecting devices are movably connected above the slot of theconduit.

27. The combination of a stationary source of electric supply, the baredworking conductors receiving electricity therefrom, a traveling electricmotor, two collecting devices suspended from said motor and makingcontact with said conductors, and a cleaning-brush carried by the motoradapted to sweep said conductors and located between said collectors.

28. The combination of a traveling vehicle having a body supported onsprings, a slotted conduit over which the vehicle travels, apower-supplying device suspended from the vehicle and passing throughthe slot into the IOO ITO

In testimony of which invention l hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HNTER.

lVitnesses RICHD. S. CHILD, Jr., E. M. BRECKINREED.

